Statues That Still Matter Today

Statues have always been more than works of art. Across centuries, humans have shaped stone and marble into figures that outlast their makers, commanding awe long after empires have faded. They serve as symbols of authority, reminders of belief, or celebrations of triumph. Some transformed culture the moment they were unveiled, while others gained importance over time. So read on to get a closer look at the most influential statues of all time. 

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1. Statue Of Liberty, USA

The Statue of Liberty, gifted by France in 1886, became a shining emblem of freedom and democracy. Designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and engineered by Gustave Eiffel, it once served as a lighthouse guiding ships into New York Harbor. The original torch was even replaced in 1986 due to damage.

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2. Lincoln Memorial Statue, USA

Completed in 1922, the marble statue of Abraham Lincoln by Daniel Chester French stands nineteen feet tall inside the Lincoln Memorial. Seen as a powerful symbol of American unity, many believe Lincoln’s hands rest in shapes resembling the letters “A” and “L.”

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3. David By Michelangelo, Italy

Michelangelo carved David from Carrara marble between 1501 and 1504 to showcase Renaissance mastery. Originally planned for Florence Cathedral, the statue was instead placed in Piazza della Signoria. Remarkably, the marble block had been left untouched for over twenty-five years, dismissed as too flawed to sculpt.

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4. Christ The Redeemer, Brazil

Standing 98 feet tall on Corcovado Mountain, Christ the Redeemer took nine years to complete, finishing in 1931. In 2007, it also earned recognition as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Today, it endures fierce weather, with lightning striking the statue regularly.

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5. Winged Victory Of Samothrace, France

Windswept marble folds bring Nike, goddess of victory, to life in the Winged Victory of Samothrace. Sculpted in the 2nd century BC, the figure surges forward with dramatic energy. Though headless, it awes visitors in the Louvre with its dramatic pose and drapery.

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6. Great Sphinx Of Giza, Egypt

The Great Sphinx, carved around 2500 BC during Pharaoh Khafre’s reign, remains the world’s largest monolithic statue. With its lion’s body and human head, it stands as a timeless guardian of Giza. The absence of its nose still sparks mystery and lively debate among historians.

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7. Moai Statues, Chile

The Rapa Nui carved the Moai between 1250 and 1500 to honor deified ancestors and chiefs. Some statues tower 33 feet high and weigh over 80 tons. Although only heads are visible, excavations revealed that many conceal full torsos buried beneath the island’s soil.

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8. The Thinker, France

Rodin’s The Thinker, sculpted in 1904, signifies the essence of reflection and philosophy. Originally part of his monumental work The Gates of Hell, the piece gained iconic status on its own. Now, more than twenty-five full-sized bronze casts can be seen worldwide.

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9. Terracotta Army, China

In 210 BC, thousands of life-sized warriors were built to guard Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. Over 8,000 figures have since been unearthed, each with distinct facial details. This silent army remained hidden until farmers uncovered it by accident in 1974.

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10. Motherland Calls, Russia

Erected in 1967 to commemorate the Battle of Stalingrad, the Motherland Calls towers 279 feet above Volgograd. Its massive sword weighs fourteen tons, a feat of engineering. Over the years, the colossal figure has developed a noticeable lean due to shifting foundations.

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11. Buddha Of Leshan, China

The Leshan Buddha, carved into a cliff during the Tang Dynasty, took more than ninety years to complete. At 233 feet, it remains the largest stone Buddha ever created. Ingenious drainage channels run through its structure, cleverly protecting the ancient sculpture from erosion.

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12. Bronze Horseman, Russia

Commissioned by Catherine the Great in 1782, the Bronze Horseman immortalizes Peter the Great astride a rearing horse. It rests on the “Thunder Stone,” the largest stone ever moved by humans. A local legend insists the statue shields St. Petersburg whenever danger looms.

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13. Pietà By Michelangelo, Italy

Mary’s grief takes breathtaking form in Michelangelo’s Pietà, carved from Carrara marble in 1499. The only sculpture he ever signed captures heartbreaking tenderness. Decades later, a violent 1972 attack damaged the masterpiece, yet expert restoration returned its serene beauty. 

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14. Venus De Milo, France

Created in Greece between 150 and 100 BC, the Venus de Milo is widely believed to portray Aphrodite, goddess of love. Discovered on the island of Milos in 1820, the statue’s elegance has fascinated viewers ever since, especially because her missing arms remain unexplained.

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15. Atlantean Figures Of Tula, Mexico

Four stone warriors rise above the ancient city of Tula, their forms echoing Toltec power. Each figure stands fifteen feet high, holding weapons and armor. Scholars link their elaborate attire to legendary feathered serpent warriors that shaped Mesoamerican mythology and art.

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16. Statue Of Unity, India

Dedicated to India’s “Iron Man” Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Statue of Unity soars 597 feet into the sky. Completed in 2018, it holds the record as the tallest statue in the world. Visitors can ascend into a gallery inside that accommodates two hundred people.

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17. Olmec Colossal Heads, Mexico

Gazing with solemn intensity, the colossal heads of the Olmec reveal the power of ancient rulers. Created without metal tools between 1500 and 400 BC, they tower over nine feet and weigh forty tons. They are considered remarkable feats of artistry from Mesoamerica's earliest civilization.

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18. Kamakura Great Buddha, Japan

Bronze serenity radiates from the Kamakura Great Buddha, a 13th-century masterpiece weighing 121 tons. Once sheltered by a wooden hall, the statue endured fierce storms and even a tsunami. Now exposed to the sky, it remains a beloved symbol of strength.

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19. Statue Of Zeus At Olympia, Greece

Created around 435 BC by Phidias, the Statue of Zeus once dominated the Temple of Zeus in Olympia. As one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, this forty-foot masterpiece combined ivory and gold, dazzling worshippers with its radiant presence.

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20. Colossus Of Constantine, Italy

Fragments of an emperor dominate the Capitoline Museums in Rome. The Colossus of Constantine once towered over forty feet in the Basilica of Maxentius, glorifying the first Christian emperor. An eight-foot marble head hints at the statue’s astonishing original scale.

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